Man sues officer, metro after shooting

It's been seven months since an off-duty veteran Louisville police officer shot an unarmed man, but the case is still under review in the commonwealth's attorney's office.

Meanwhile, the man, Ishmael Gough, has filed a civil suit in federal court against the detective who opened fire on him and metro government.

It alleges violations of Gough's constitutional rights.

On Sept. 4, 2012, police converged on 24th and Chestnut streets to investigate a shooting by one of their own.

A couple of bystanders called 911.

Detective Chauncey Carthan was off duty that night in plain clothes and an unmarked Louisville Metro Police Department vehicle.

According to the civil suit, around 11:40 p.m., Carthan began to follow 22-year-old Gough for several blocks until Gough decided to pull over.

The suit said Carthan got out of his car "with his revolver drawn, identified himself as a police officer and ordered plaintiff to exit his car and lay down on the ground."

The suit claims Gough complied, but that Carthan continued to hold a gun on him and "refused to respond to plaintiff's inquiries as to what he had done and was acting aggressive, appearing to be under the influence of illicit drugs and /or alcohol."

Police Chief Steve Conrad later said Carthan may have been drinking.

"Dude got this gun. He said he's the police though. But the dude is begging for his life here on the ground," said a 911 caller.

The caller told the 911 dispatcher that though the man said he was an officer, he didn't have a badge or a uniform.

The suit said that at one point, Gough "believed he was about to be robbed and/or murdered. In response, plaintiff stood up and then was shot in the right leg while plaintiff cowered against his car."

During the 911 calls, a voice presumed to be Gough can be heard crying out in pain.

The suit claims Carthan's conduct amounted to "unreasonable and excessive use of force" and violates the Fourth Amendment and Civil Rights Act.

It also alleges that Louisville Metro is responsible because it failed to adequately hire, train and supervise Carthan.